An introduction to DeNDRoN

What is DeNDRoN?

DeNDRoN was established in a combined initiative from the Department of Health and the NHS. Its aim is to provide the infrastructure to allow clinical research to be conducted in a more effective way. Four diseases are included in the DeNDRoN network, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s disease and Motor Neurone Disease.

DeNDRoN works closely with the established networks and organisations that are already in place to support clinical research. It is also keen to involve people living with these diseases, as the network develops.

How is the network structured?

There are two main structures within DeNDRoN: specialist Clinical Studies Groups for each of the diseases within the network, and Local Research Networks.

The Clinical Studies Groups are establishing the research portfolio and priorities for Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease and Motor Neurone Disease respectively. Once these are set, the Local Research Networks will recruit the participants for the clinical research studies and co-ordinate the clinical teams that manage them. Each Local Research Network will work in a slightly different way.

Joint working with DeNDRoN

The MND Association is keen to work with DeNDRoN to achieve the best possible outcomes for MND clinical research. We are doing this through involving people with MND in the design of clinical research and by the adoption of the DNA Bank project by the MND Clinical Studies Group.

The MND Clinical Studies Group is chaired by the Director of the MND Care Centre in Sheffield, Prof Pam Shaw. The group includes many of the Directors of other MND Care Centres across the country.

How can people with MND become involved in DeNDRoN?